Academies - post appeal
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Re: Academies - post appeal
Will do, thank you.
Re: Academies - post appeal
Hi Etienne, I have posted some information to the appeals inbox.
Re: Academies - post appeal
I agree that the letter appears to be satisfactory.
I don't recall previously seeing an assurance that all the detailed information will be considered. That's good, because the brevity of the EFA summary has often caused some consternation!
I don't recall previously seeing an assurance that all the detailed information will be considered. That's good, because the brevity of the EFA summary has often caused some consternation!
Etienne
Re: Academies - post appeal
Apologies to butt in on your conversation - and hope you don't mind me sharing our story. We went through an EFA complaint (as we believed panel didn't follow code by giving us clear reasons/voting reasons etc, and clerks notes told us nothing). Unfortunately I was most displeased with the EFA procedure - Although our case was investigated regarding a possible injustice, I couldn't help think they sided with the school and were not impartial.
It didn't become about winning a place at the school but just wanting to know WHY my child was deemed not of the academic ability after submitting all our outstanding academic evidence. Or even what academic evidence we could have provided to prove ability? Surely it's a reasonable request to want to understand a little bit more about how that 'No' decision was made? I understand the prejudice argument but we had provided ample evidence proving ability and yet have no idea why it wasn't deemed suitable. After asking these questions on more than one occasion - neither one could be answered by Appeal panel/school/EFA. How can it possibly be a fair and transparent process if my questions were just ignored or not answered in a direct fashion? If they believed my child hadn't reached the standard then why no reason given to tell me why not?
Such a frustrating experience. That frustration led me to consider a judicial review and we went as far as speaking with a solicitor specialising in education law - who was adamant we had a case and especially when in their opinion, we had MORE than provided evidence proving ability and the panels judgment that our child hadn't, was in their opinion quite bizarre and an injustice had occurred. Of course as payment would have had to cross hands I suppose they would say that.
Good luck and all the best, sincerely hope you get the answers you are looking for.
It didn't become about winning a place at the school but just wanting to know WHY my child was deemed not of the academic ability after submitting all our outstanding academic evidence. Or even what academic evidence we could have provided to prove ability? Surely it's a reasonable request to want to understand a little bit more about how that 'No' decision was made? I understand the prejudice argument but we had provided ample evidence proving ability and yet have no idea why it wasn't deemed suitable. After asking these questions on more than one occasion - neither one could be answered by Appeal panel/school/EFA. How can it possibly be a fair and transparent process if my questions were just ignored or not answered in a direct fashion? If they believed my child hadn't reached the standard then why no reason given to tell me why not?
Such a frustrating experience. That frustration led me to consider a judicial review and we went as far as speaking with a solicitor specialising in education law - who was adamant we had a case and especially when in their opinion, we had MORE than provided evidence proving ability and the panels judgment that our child hadn't, was in their opinion quite bizarre and an injustice had occurred. Of course as payment would have had to cross hands I suppose they would say that.
Good luck and all the best, sincerely hope you get the answers you are looking for.
Re: Academies - post appeal
Thank you for sharing your story, although it's disappointing to note that the outcome was still unsatisfactory. It will be interesting to see how the process works, I am not really holding out much hope but feel better that I have at least raised the issues. Hope your child is happy at their allocated school.
Re: Academies - post appeal
Just thought I'd give an update, the EFA did not uphold the complaint, not really surprised. Etienne, I will forward more detailed information to the appeals box.
Re: Academies - post appeal
Thanks for the update - sorry you weren't successful, but at least you know you've done everything you could.
With regard to the other school, you could try contacting the EFA to explain that you are awaiting further information and to ask if - in the circumstances, where the delay has not been caused by you - they might consider allowing more time. It depends how flexible they are prepared to be with their 'usual' policy. ("The EFA will not usually investigate complaints about independent appeal panels more than 6 months after the panel sat.")
Or would they prefer to proceed, but allow you to add to your complaint if new information comes to light within a reasonable period of time?
With regard to the other school, you could try contacting the EFA to explain that you are awaiting further information and to ask if - in the circumstances, where the delay has not been caused by you - they might consider allowing more time. It depends how flexible they are prepared to be with their 'usual' policy. ("The EFA will not usually investigate complaints about independent appeal panels more than 6 months after the panel sat.")
Or would they prefer to proceed, but allow you to add to your complaint if new information comes to light within a reasonable period of time?
Etienne
Re: Academies - post appeal
Thanks for the advice Etienne.
